Author Topic: Ok, I "need" an Indiana deer rifle. (Read 2585 times)

HappyHunter · « **on:** March 02, 2012, 11:52:13 AM »

This year Indian is allowing 1.8" straight wall pistol cartridge chamberings for rifle during Deer season.

I have successfully used 357, 44mag, 45 colt, 41 mag and 458 socom in rifles so far and want something that is more of a flatter shooter. I want to make 200 yard shots with out having to look up the dope.

The new 1.8 (was 1.62 previously) made me consider the S$W 460. But the accuracy concernes in the Encore (and the Ruger #1) give me pause.

What do you guys recommend?

Is the 357 MAX a good possibility? I already load for a Dan Wesson, so brass and dies are not a problem.

Again I want to make a reasonably flat shot at 200 yards, what is best choice?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Fred

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2012, 01:12:33 PM »

http://357maximum.com/

dave29 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2012, 01:31:26 PM »

It does not have to be straight wall.

dave29 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2012, 01:33:24 PM »

Sorry, forgot this....

For the flattest shooting cartridge to 200 yards I suggest one of the new 1.8" .35 cal WSSM's.

jy951 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2012, 07:11:04 PM »

Without going to a wildcat, I'd recommend and use the 500 S&W with 300 or 325 gr bullets. I think the 460 would work, but I would not use the 200 grain loads. I think the heavier bullets would be more accurate and deliver better terminal performance.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2012, 10:59:35 PM »

The 460 S&W Magnum is certainly flat enough shooting for 200 yard shots but I've found mine to be finicky. That's not to say it's bad as it's a real hammer and I've taken a bunch of stuff with it including a Klipspringer at about 180 yards.

I found the 444 Marlin to be much easier to find a good load for and bullet drop at 200 yards is such that you should be fine on stuff the size of deer at that range. With both cartridges, drop becomes so great after 200 yards you really need to know bullet trajectory for shots that far.

tuco · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2012, 05:06:01 AM »

I am thinking of the 358 Hooiser, or a 358 Winchester and just trimming the case. I am still doing my research but it is narrowed down to those two. I am still undecided on the gun I am going to use. Probably a Encore or a Savage bolt.

jy951 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2012, 08:06:46 AM »

444 Marlin unfortunately is not legal in IN for deer hunting.

jbj-displays · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:14:59 PM »

with IN rifles having to be 357 diameter or larger straight wall cases with max case length of 1.625" I have shot deer out to 200 yards with these 3 rounds and all are legal. 357 Maximum,414 Supermag, and my favorite the 445 Supermag. I call my 445 Supermag Black Death.

jbj-displays · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:21:57 PM »

Then again with the new 1.8" max that is just what the 460 S&W case length is. I have mine zero at 175 and shoot the 250Gr Hornady bullet since my Encore barrel just did not like factory loads. My brother's shoots the Hornady factory loads great. We both use the 460 here in Iowa as handguns and is a 200 yard deer killer for sure just need to put in range time. In the rifle I would have to think it could only be better.
Justin

schoolmaster · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2012, 06:04:00 PM »

My .358 BFG 1.625 case length is zeroed at 200 yards. It is 2.5 inches high at 100 and minute of deer at 250 with no holdover, just aim and shoot. The 2.8 version will add 25 to maybe 50 yards to those ranges.

Lon371 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:53:13 PM »

Quote

straight wall pistol cartridge

That part of the discription no longer exist

Lonny

okie44 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2012, 04:32:02 AM »

.375 Win?

Lon371 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2012, 08:09:13 AM »

Quote from: okie44 on March 08, 2012, 04:32:02 AM

.375 Win?

Slight trimming, dont know why that will not work.

omegahunter · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2012, 08:18:01 AM »

Straight-walled was never part of the language that was enacted. It was in the original proposal, but was nixed for just the bullet diameter and minimum and maximum cartridge lengths.

Probably the cheapest way to get the longest range is if you already have an Encore to get a .358 WSSM barrel for it. If you don't have an Encore frame, the next best would be to already have a rifle with .308 bolt head and get the .358 Hoosier which is a .358 Winchester with the shoulders pushed back to give a good neck when trimmed to 1.800". Both get in the neighborhood of 2500 fps with a 200 grain bullet.

tuco · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2012, 03:31:49 AM »

After a couple months of research and waiting for the 1.8 case to be included, I ordered me an Encore frame and I will be going with the 358 Hooiser. My reasons were that it uses 308 parent brass which is cheaper and easier to get. Also there is a guy in Bloomfield IN who forms the brass and is selling loaded ammo. I have a hundred 358 Winchester brass that should last me a long time. MGM makes a barrels in the 358 Hooiser and Hornady makes custom dies. I just got my frame yesterday and am still unsure on what type of stock I will use. Probably will order my barrell in a couple weeks, already got a Leupold VX-R 3X9 to put on it.

HappyHunter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2012, 03:46:59 AM »

Tuco,

Your actions are my actions. I purchased an MGM barrel, loaded rounds and 358 hoosier brass from aj brown. Met him at Indy 1500 last weekend.

I will use the Encore frame from my muzzy. Need to order custom dies, and settle on an optic.

Good huntin,

Fred

dave29 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2012, 07:09:25 AM »

Quote from: HappyHunter on March 20, 2012, 03:46:59 AM

Tuco,

Your actions are my actions. I purchased an MGM barrel, loaded rounds and 358 hoosier brass from aj brown. Met him at Indy 1500 last weekend.

I will use the Encore frame from my muzzy. Need to order custom dies, and settle on an optic.

Good huntin,

Fred

I looked for him at the Indy 1500, but couldn't find his table. I wonder if I called MGM, if they would just chamber a barrel for me.....

tuco · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2012, 08:13:43 PM »

Dave29, MGM will chamber a barrel for you. I emailed them and they offer the 358 Hooiser. I am pretty sure that is what AJ Brown is selling for Encores. Don't know what he is charging, but on MGM's website you can figure the cost based on options.

dave29 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 21, 2012, 01:35:13 AM »

Quote from: tuco on March 20, 2012, 08:13:43 PM

Dave29, MGM will chamber a barrel for you. I emailed them and they offer the 358 Hooiser. I am pretty sure that is what AJ Brown is selling for Encores. Don't know what he is charging, but on MGM's website you can figure the cost based on options.

He charges $475 for the barrel. Buying from MGM should be cheaper.

tatonka · « **Reply #20 on:** March 21, 2012, 12:18:30 PM »

I've tried several rifle legal cartridges in Indiana and have settled on a 357 maximum in my Encore. I've hunted with the 357 Max in the contender for many years, first as a pistol, then as a rifle when it was legalized. I currently have a 20" bull SS barrel from David White. It is a great barrel and I shoot Hornady 180gr SSP bullets. I've taken shots out to 175 yards with no problems. I've also had good luck with a 158 gr Remington JHP bullets. I load the 180 gr bullets to around 2350 FPS with no pressure signs and 1 1/2 groups are the norm. The 158 gr bullets are driven to 2450fps with good accuracy. The 180 gr bullets give me better penetration on the big bucks even from a frontal shot. Recoil is mild. Good shooting